Given 3 CCTV cameras, Sassoon awaits govt nod for installation

Sassoon General Hospital will soon install CCTV cameras on its premises. Bapu Bhosale, leader of the Dalit Panther of India, donated three IR Bullet CCTV cameras to the hospital yesterday

“The issue of CCTV installation was pending for a long time. The cameras were much needed after eight prisoners escaped from the state-run hospital,” said Bhosale. “Lack of cameras was causing great difficulty to thousands of patients, doctors and other staff as many entrances were sealed by authorities over safety issues.”

‘eye’ donation: Bapu Bhosale, founder and national president of the Dalit Panther of India, donates the CCTV cameras and a DVC recorder to Sassoon hospital yesterday. PIC/KRUNAL GOSAVI

He said he had asked the hospital to install the three cameras at major entry points like the main Out Patient Department (OPD) in the main building and the entrance to the Orthopaedic Department and casualty ward.

“As now the issue of safety can be addressed, I have told the dean to open at least three gates to ease the problem faced by people,” Bhosale said. “Staff, including doctors, are forced to take circuitous routes and it is also troublesome for patients and their companions in times of emergency.”

Sassoon hospital Medical Superintendent Dr D G Kulkarni said permission would have to be taken from the government for the installation of the CCTV cameras.

“We have to take permission from the state government before installing the cameras. The dean is going for a meeting of all deans in Mumbai on Friday. Only after he returns will we know when these donated cameras have to be installed,” Kulkarni said.